A Wedding Anniversary Blessing for Your Children

For a wedding anniversary, we usually bless the married couple themselves. On your own wedding date, perhaps you pray for your spouse and your marriage in a special way.

But when was the last time you prayed for your children on your anniversary?

The Church teaches that children are a precious gift of marriage. What better moment to thank God for the gift of your children than on your wedding anniversary?

Take a moment to pray this blessing with your children over a special meal, or remember them in prayer when you and your spouse celebrate your anniversary together. (If you have one child, feel free to substitute italicized words as appropriate.)

A Prayer for Our Children on Our Anniversary

Loving God,

Bless our children, [N., N., and N],
the ones You have given us
to love, teach, and raise.
Thank You for the gift of their lives,
sprung forth from the source of Your love.

As we remember today
the sacrament that created our family,
may our joy and gratitude,
like our love for each other and for You,
continue to bless the lives of our children.
Watch over [N., N., and N]
and draw them ever closer to You.
Open their ears to Your voice,
their eyes to Your world,
and their hearts to Your love.

Guide our vocations as spouses and parents
as we seek to guide our children in their own callings.
May we never take for granted the gift of their lives
and the growth they have brought to our own.
May we strive each day
to bear the face of Christ to one another.

Bless our family in a special way today:
all that the past year has brought us,
and all that the next year holds for us -
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
all the days of our life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.